So, finances are falling in to place for a new road bike in a few months time. Either a full bike or a frame to be built up. It's to replace my rim braked alloy Defy.
It must:
Have disc brakes
Have clearance for 28mm tyres with proper mudguards
Be comfortable enough for proper all day 200km plus rides.
Have a compact chainset - can't be bothered with mid-compact for this bike
It would be nice to have:
Rack mounts for a bit of light touring. Which tends to rule out carbon frames.
Ultegra. But I'd sooner have lighter wheels than a bling groupset
Weight around 20lbs, probably too optimistic.....
Budget up to [s]£1k, if MrsMC is reading this.[/s] £2k if she isn't.
Current favourites are a Kinesis 4S disc, or the new Focus Paralane.
What other bikes are out there that you would recommend I look into - especially as we start getting towards the sale season in the next couple of months.
I was looking for much the same thing and have now got a [url= http://www.sabbathbicycles.co.uk/bikes/september-ar-1-disc ]Sabbath September disc[/url]. I bought it as a frameset for £1400 (from [url= http://www.fatbirds.co.uk ]Fat Birds[/url] - don't know if they're still doing that offer) and have built it up with mainly Ultegra-level components... admittedly came in about £400 above your budget but savings could easily be made.
It's 19lbs dead, with pedals and mudguards, and a lovely, lovely ride. Can't recommend it enough!
I'm a big fan of Fat Birds but fear that Ti is going to be out of my budget. Sadly. 🙁
My CDF30 fits all that description, apart from the 20 lbs bit !
4S disc. My calliper version is wonderful, although I dream of a GF Ti....
Pickenflick is cheap and super versatile. Awesome with 50mm carbon wheels and 28s or or 35 gravel tyres.
Really enjoying the frame.
Mate just bought a custom ridley cross. Matches all your needs(bar rack ability as carbon) and it weighs under 8kg...
Just bought a Boardman CXR 9.8 2015 model, currently running it with road tyres and have been surprised at how fast it is, especially climbing. Very versatile frame with rack mounts and guards, electronic or mechanical cable routing, and will take up to 35mm nobblies. Frame only and spec how you want / budget permits!
I built up a Kinesis Pro 6 frame as my commuter/tourer/Audax bike. It got me round a couple of 400km events OK last year. Disc fittings, all the mounts you need and plenty clearance for 28mm tyres and proper guards. I've got a rack, bombproof rims, dynamo etc, so not very lightweight, but it's a workhorse, and rides very well.
Rack mounts for a bit of light touring. Which tends to rule out carbon frames.
Ultegra. But I'd sooner have lighter wheels than a bling groupset
Weight around 20lbs, probably too optimistic.....
I can think of something that fits the bill here.....
I have a Genesis Equilibrium (non disc) and love it, takes Schwalbe the ones 28's and full mudguards (PDW's), has the rack mounts you want, I'm just about to set-it up for some light touring as you are after.
It's soooo comfy, probably a mixture of the tyres, tubeless and steel frame. It weighs about 21lbs without the rack but with guards and pump and campag centaur groupset.
The same frame in the disc version would be a good choice IMHO.
Was waiting for your arrival, CFH. 😀
Are there rack mounts on the carbon models? Big savings appearing on current sale prices. Unless you want a 52cm. 🙁
Some other interesting ideas to look at as well. Cheers.
Shand Stoater with 105?
The Stoater will be the answer I want when I post the "more gravel than audax" question. 😉
I have a Genesis Equilibrium (non disc) and love it
Yep, was going to say Equilibrium Disc. It's basically what the OP has described. Could do a very nice custom build for £2k.
Bowman pilgrims is worth a look, the blue one looks lush.